How to Beat the Mental Obsession of Drug and Alcohol Abuse

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How to Beat the Mental Obsession of Drug and Alcohol Abuse

The human mind is similar to having an infinite number sided dice with unlimited rolls. Sure it might land on the same sides twice- anything is possible, but ultimately there will be a different result most every time that dice is tossed. The possibilities are seemingly limitless. Dare I say “sky’s the limit”?

Human beings can be thinking of one thing particularly, then with another roll of the dice, something of completely different nature seconds later. Then add another infinite sided dice to this game we call life. We just doubled infinity- however that is possible.

Eventually thoughts are flying all over the place and any sane individual is just trying to keep up with them. The point being made here is that the demands of reality can become overwhelming at times. Many addicts and alcoholics turn to various substances just for this reason. The numbing effect of narcotics can make the chaos upstairs mutable at points, but nothing is ever permanent. Most addicts begin to realize how unsustainable this lifestyle is sooner than later. The results can be anything opposite of pretty until this person enters recovery. It is here that we learn how to beat the mental obsession of drug and alcohol abuse.

Out thinking the Mental Obsession

With so many prospects on the horizon, the brain looks for an excuse to cool off for a moment, but there are ways to do that without the detrimental effects of chemical narcolepsy. To beat the mental obsession of drug and alcohol abuse, there must be a want to do so. There has to be a want to shift the focus onto self as we take a deeper look at how our gears turn.

Sobriety is all about mindfulness and becoming aware of the things we ignored for so long. As we begin looking at our reflection, becoming conscious of ourselves will in effect make immediate changes to our overall being. Practicing this state in sobriety will not only help us to reduce anxiety and/or depression, increase concentration techniques, and better our sleeping patterns, but it will also improve overall mental health while even lowering stress too.

Practicing this will not beat the mental obsession of drug and alcohol abuse completely, but it will help us to get to know ourselves a little better at least. We all think we know ourselves because we are ourself- duh. Realistically the amount of people who barely know they’re wants, needs, and desires is flabbergasting. Utilizing our new techniques might be the only way we ever see ourselves clearly.

Fixing the Fixation

If we really want to beat the mental obsession of drug and alcohol abuse, we have to take a step back and really process our surroundings. Breaking everything down and recognizing how we react to stimulus is what it all boils down too. Relapse happens, but it starts itself in the mind. When we are focused on the obsession of getting high, our thoughts are always running rampant. This however does not mean they are untameable though. A few ways to catch ourselves straying from the big sober picture include:

Watching Our Thought Bubbles

Paying Close Attention to the Senses Engaged

Noticing Our Emotions

Anything Meditative Based

Taking Deep Breaths

Focusing Intently on Something Else

Just practicing any one of these tactics can help you on a road to feeling more at peace. Remember, negative thought appear from time to time- it’s okay. Emotions will always pass if we allow them. Just keep in mind that everything is temporary except death. No amount of pessimism is worth a fatality.

Occupying Unoccupied Obsessions

Beating the mental obsession of drug and alcohol abuse leaves more room for experience and wisdom. Most of us go day in and day out without realizing how blah we can be at times with everything we do. We are quick to turn on the autopilot when things get mundane. Are we still learning? Are we still trying to learn? Have we gotten life figured out already? The answer to that last one is “no” for sure. We’ll never have life figured out, nor will we ever discover the meaning to it. However, why not try to expand beyond substance abuse. Surely there’s more to life than empty bottles and broken crack stems.

All thoughts manifest and we either allow them to expand or we shut them down immediately. Being mindful in sobriety requires actually realizing each thought as it occurs and then understanding such. We have so many thoughts that we keep to ourselves, but we must recognize the need for them to be brought to light at least with ourselves. So much is seen but so little information is shared. Keeping everything to ourselves and watching the world thru such a gray lens is what gives purpose to addiction/alcoholism. The disease feeds off of unrelieved monotony. Starving it for all you’re worth is how to beat the mental obsession of drug and alcohol abuse.